Spain also failed to win its second match at this European Championship. It was able to score this time through Alvaro Morata, but after the equalizer by the inevitable Robert Lewandowski and a penalty miss by Gerard Moreno, it had to be satisfied again with a meager 1-1 draw. With one group match to go, Spain is only third in group E.
85 percent possession, 0 goals. It was clear what Spain was missing in its first group match against Sweden. Luis Enrique therefore took a different tack against Poland. In addition to Alvaro Morata, he also dropped Gerard Moreno into the team. After a disappointing result on match day 1 – Poland suffered a surprising loss against Slovakia – it was already necessary for both teams.
Especially for Spain, an early exit would be a disgrace and La Roja immediately tried to claim the ball. The Poles, however, started furiously and were short. Although they did not last long, because while Spain monopolized the ball, they pitched their tents in their own penalty area. Spain therefore again flirted with ball possession percentages of around 80%.
Morata breaks the spell
But initially the same problem arose as last Monday: no chances were created. Beautiful football up to the sixteen meters, but chances? barely. Dani Olmo was able to print, but his attempt was too central. At the first real chance, however, it was immediately a prize for the Spaniards.
Gerard Moreno cut himself free and his cross shot reached striker Alvaro Morata on the way. The Juventus striker reacted attentively and worked the 1-0 against the ropes. The linesman still raised his flag and seemed to spoil the party, but the VAR whistled him back: the goal counted. Morata received a lot of criticism in the past few days, but got his act together. He thanked national coach Luis Enrique for the trust with a big hug.
The opening goal was not the signal for the Spaniards to push on. They kept tapping the ball quietly, but Szczesny had nothing to worry about except for a free kick by Moreno. What’s more, the best chances were for Poland. First, Swiderski aimed a cross from Lewandowski over, after which the same Swiderski struck out a few minutes later. Fortunately for Spain, his blast hit the post before Simon made an excellent save on Lewandowski’s rebound.
An equalizer would not have been undeserved. Spain also had a great chance just before half-time, but Moreno put his cross wide after a good rush by Jordi Alba.
Robert the Inevitable
Thanks to the lead, Spain started the second half with peace of mind and initially there seemed to be no problem. But all of a sudden it was 1-1. Aymeric Laporte let himself be childishly pushed aside by Lewandowski in a header duel and thus opened ‘la porte’ for the equalizer of the Polish goalkeeper.
Immediately afterwards, however, the Spaniards had an excellent opportunity to immediately take the lead, only Gerard Moreno placed his penalty – which was open to discussion – against the post. Alvaro Morato placed the rebound wide.
The Spaniards did not lose heart and continued to look for the winning goal, while the Poles did not want to take the cash. In the final quarter, the pressure also felt noticeably up. Ferran Torres headed wide and Rodri tried with a flight shot, but without success. The Poles moaned under the Spanish pressure and couldn’t get out at all, but luckily they could count on their goalkeeper: with an excellent intervention Szczesny Morata prevented the scoring. The clock ticked in favor of Spain, but an opening in the Polish defense belt was no longer found.
Spain could not win again. Cheers erupted in Slovakia and Sweden. Sweden with four points and Slovakia with three points, after all, continue to lead this group. Spain is left with two points, Poland has one. Spain therefore has to work hard against Slovakia.
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